Act 2 Multitasking
Proficiency sat in the attic room at the desk making infiltration tools. Right now he can't be disturbed or he'll break the materials he was currently using to make lockpicks and vanish balls. He concentrated with silence and the proficiency of a rocket scientist.
Well, somewhat silence as Ren Prime was still in his room, reading a manga in his bed. It's been about three hours since the clones all departed. As Ren remained in bed, Morgana laid next to his arm. Ren put his manga down and closed his eyes. But then opened them immediately. He shifted on the bed and sighed. If he and Morgana wanted to talk, they would have to do so quietly as to not disrupt "Mr. Scientist" at the work desk.
"What's wrong?", Morgana whispered.
"I'm worried; will anyone find out?".
"If you're worried, why don't we go check on them? Just wear a disguise so no one will recognize you".
Ren and Morgana got up and went downstairs.
"See you later Prof", but he got no reply.
Well at least the dude was dedicated to his task. After Morgana jumped into the bag, Ren slung it over his shoulder and headed downstairs. The café was open so there were some customers, more like only two people, an elderly couple, sitting there. He peaked over the corner to check if Sojiro was at the counter. It wouldn't do Ren any good if Sojiro saw him not at school. Not to mention plus one extra Ren upstairs making phantom thief exclusive items. He waited till Sojiro went in towards the fridge then he crouch-walked low along the bar seating like sneaking past shadows.
He tried to gently open the door to escape but the little bell on the door still rung. Ren paused and lets out a gasp before he got out the door and sprinted towards the train station.
Sojiro turned around, "Hmm what was that? Did someone come in just now?".
The elderly man spoke, "maybe it was the wind".
"Whatever". Sojiro returned to his work.
By now it was two hours past after school time.
Ren decided to check on Kind first in the underground mall. He did not want anyone else to see him at school since Knowledge was already there.
A customer in a dress walked away with a flower bouquet.
Kind wearing the green apron bowed and said "Thanks for coming!". Seeing Ren Prime he greeted, "Oh, Hi Prime! Come to buy some flowers?".
"No thanks, just checking to see how you're doing".
"I'm good. Oh by the way, give this to the plant in your room, it looks a little dead". He handed him a bottle of bio nutrients.
"Oh, um, Thanks".
"Ok, See you at the café". He bows once again. "Thanks for coming!".
An awkward silence…
"But your shift's over…", Ren finally said.
"OH!" Kind just realized the time and went to pack up his stuff.
Thursday Evening.
The three of them walked home to café Leblanc. Ren reached towards the doorknob but the closed sign is already flipped over.
"Huh? Did Sojiro closed up already?".
Morgana popped his head out of the bag, "This early?".
Kind covered his mouth with his hands in horror, "OH MY GOD, a thief got in!".
"We're thieves too you know…" Morgana bluntly pointed out.
Walking in, Prof was already working at table, tools spread out as he works on making lockpicks. When the three entered, the café doorbell jingled and scared him.
"Gah! Geez, warn a guy when you're coming in!", he said as he started picking up the things he dropped.
Ren pointed at the door "…But that's what the little bell is for?".
Ren, Morgana, and Kind sat down in the booth.
Knowledge in an apron then came out with coffee and curry. He set the food down in front of Ren.
"Don't mind him, he just needs to pay more attention to his surroundings. Here, made you dinner. Seeing that we clones are metaverse beings, the only one who need to eat is you, being the Prime and all".
"Thanks".
"I made you something too Morgana".
Knowledge put a plate of curry down for Morgana. The cat started to lick it.
"Hmm, it's good. Smart and a talented cook".
"Don't forget handsome," then Knowledge winked at him.
"I thought Charmy was the handsome one of us", Kind asked.
"We have the same face" Knowledge snapped back.
Ren laughed. The little bell ranged and Charmy walked in with G.
G with a big grin on his face shouted, "Sup?".
"Hello! The Debonair devil is here!", Charmy exclaimed.
Knowledge muttering to himself, "speak of the devil".
Knowledge goes to sit at bar table, pulled out a large, difficult looking book, and started reading it.
G immediately sat down with both arms sprawled out on table.
"Man, wish you could make me something, mementos really took a lot out of me."
"How's it's going in the metaverse?", Ren asked.
"Great! Oh that reminds me, I better text Mishima telling him that I finished those requests".
Ren handed him his phone. Only Prime had a phone. It was too illogical, and too expensive, to buy five cell phones. Luckily G had asked Ryuji to use his phone to open the Navigation app. Hopefully it wouldn't raise any questions.
"What did you tell the others about not using your phone?", Knowledge inquired, while still reading his book. He was certainly good at multitasking.
"I told them I didn't feel like taking out my phone".
Silence.
Knowledge and Ren was shocked.
Knowledge looked up from his book, then asked, "why did you say that?".
G simply replied, "it was the first thing that came up to my mind".
Knowledge just sighed in defeat. His friends will probably think he even more weirder now. Great. Just great.
Charmy took out his planner and checked it.
"Since you're texting Mishima, I'll just schedule to meet with the other confidants, that way he won't see two of us".
Muttering to himself. "Now let's see, Yusuke can meet me on this day….which leaves me with…in the evening…".
Kind spoke up.
"By the way, here, this is for you". He plopped a big stack of cash onto Ren's hand.
"W-what?!".
Kind also handed another fat stack to Prof.
Kind, looking at Prof, "For you. You can use it to get materials".
Prof has a huge stack of lockpicks piling next to him that's steadily increasing, he paused for a moment.
"Um, Thanks", then proceeded to continue.
Kind looking back towards Ren, "I got the money from the flower shop and figured we could use it to help the Phantom Thieves".
"Thanks man. Well it looks like everything is good so far. Let's just continue with the plan ok guys?".
All clones agreed.
Same thing tomorrow.